- Delta Air Lines is considering legal action against Heathrow over plans to relocate from Terminal 3 to Terminal 4
- The move would separate Delta from joint venture partner Virgin Atlantic
- Delta CEO Ed Bastian criticised the decision as short-sighted
- Heathrow reported the reshuffle optimises terminal capacity
- The changes follow three years of consultation
Delta Air Lines has considered legal action against London Heathrow over plans to relocate its operations from Terminal 3 to Terminal 4 in 2028, separating it from transatlantic joint venture partner Virgin Atlantic. Delta CEO Ed Bastian criticised the decision as short-sighted and bad for airline consumers. He warned the airline would pursue all available remedies to correct the decision.
Heathrow reported the terminal reshuffle was intended to optimise existing infrastructure ahead of planned terminal modernisation and expansion. The airport reported the changes followed three years of consultation, with airlines representing 81pc of Heathrow passengers backing the final plan. Heathrow reported the plan involved the fewest airline relocations, required the least capital expenditure and could be delivered fastest.
The planned moves include China Southern Airlines from Terminal 4 to Terminal 5, LATAM Airlines from Terminal 3 to Terminal 2, and Delta, Finnair and JAL from Terminal 3 to Terminal 4. The airport is working with five affected airlines to finalise implementation plans. Bastian argued that separating the two airlines would undermine their integrated operations and customer connections.
Ed Bastian shared “We are committed to preserving the seamless travel experience for which Delta and Virgin Atlantic are known and will pursue all available remedies to correct this decision.”
